Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has decided to make four alterations to the side that started against Manchester United on Saturday, with Patrick van Aanholt, Jordi Gomez, Adam Johnson and Connor Wickham making way for Santiago Vergini, Liam Bridcutt, Jack Rodwell and Danny Graham, respectively. Meanwhile, both John O’Shea and Wes Brown are available after the latter’s red card, which was wrongly awarded to him on the weekend, was rescinded by the Football Association.

Meanwhile, Palace manager Alan Pardew has significantly more absences to contend with. Midfielder Jordon Mutch picked up an injury in the weekend win at West Ham, joining Marouane Chamakh, Frazier Campbell, Jonny Williams, Yaya Sanogo and Jerome Thomas in the treatment room, while Glenn Murray – the recipient of a red card at Upton Park – is suspended. As a result, Dwight Gayle starts in attack, but he won’t be short of support, as Puncheon, Zaha and Bolasie all begin the match.

The ex-Arsenal star believes Dunga’s side have turned a corner since the World Cup but warned of the threat posed by Alexis Sanchez in the BGT clash with Chile in March

Former Brazil international Edu Gaspar has named Dunga’s Selecao among the favourites for this year’s Copa America, insisting their new physical approach will ensure there will be no repeat of their 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany.

Dunga succeeded former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari following the World Cup and has led the Selecao to six consecutive Brasil Global Tour victories.

And former Arsenal and Valencia star Edu, who made 15 appearances for Brazil but missed out on a place at World Cup 2006 through injury, insists the Selecao have now moved on from their World Cup disappointment.

“What happened at the World Cup is in the past and must stay in the past,” Edu told the official Copa America website.

“Brazil will arrive at the Copa America with a lot of desire to win it because they will want to show what Brazil are in world football. With Dunga, there will be a more forceful style of play, including being more physical, as Dunga was as a player.”

He added: “The 2015 Copa América will be a great tournament to follow.

“At the World Cup the South American teams did very well and from what I can see these teams will continue to get better with the competition there is.

“Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay will always be favourites because they have great squads, but Chile could also have something to say. They have an attacking style and have become very powerful over time.”

Brazil meet Chile at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 29 and Edu has warned his compatriots they face a player at the top of his game in the form of Roja and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

“Alexis is a phenomenon,” he said.

“At Arsenal he has found what I think he was hoping for; to be an undisputed starter and main player, something he was never able to achieve at Barcelona, despite playing well and receiving praise from the press and fans.

“I think at the moment he is among the five best players in the Premier League, there is no doubt about that.”